A Kansas shigella outbreak at a splash pad in June 2021 sickened at least 21 people, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for the week of August 5, 2022. The splash pad was located in a Kansas wildlife park. There were actually two outbreaks: One involving shigella, and the other was a norovirus outbreak. Getting splash pad water in the mouth was associated with the illnesses. The shigella outbreak was linked to visits on June 11, 2021, and the norovirus outbreak was linked to visits on June 18, 2021. The contributing factors were inadequate disinfection, equipment, and training. The park has animal exhibits and a splash pad. In June 2021, Kansas state and county public health officials identified three cases of … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Traverse City’s Clinch Park Splash Pad After Sewage Backup
The new splash pad at Traverse City's Clinch Park is the center of an investigation after about a dozen people have complained of gastrointestinal illnesses after visiting the attraction. The splash pad has been closed after the event that occurred on 6/30/13 between 10:00 to 10:15 am. The park may be closed for several weeks. Public health officials are warning parents of children who played in the waterscape at that time to watch for signs of illness. They are also warning anyone who visited the park on Saturday, June 29, 2013 to watch for signs of illness. Those symptoms may include gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, visible signs of infection in an open wound or rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin). Any illnesses should start over … [Read more...]
Prevent Recreational Water Illnesses this Summer
The Minnesota Department of Health is warning people to take steps to prevent illnesses caused by recreational water this summer. People swimming in contaminated water can and have become ill from Cryptosporidium, E. coli O157:H7, norovirus, Shigella, and Giardia. When people are sick with a diarrheal illness, just a tiny speck of feces can contain millions of germs and contaminate a pool. Chlorine unfortunately is not a foolproof method of killing these parasites and bacteria. Last year, there were a record number of 11 recreational waterborne outbreaks in Minnesota, resulting in almost 200 documented illnesses. All but one of those outbreaks occurred in treated water. In addition, there were two outbreaks linked to splash pads for the first time last year. Even though there is no … [Read more...]
